Monday 5 March 2018 00:33, UK
Phil Mickelson was delighted to be back in the winners' circle after edging out Justin Thomas in a play-off to claim the WGC-Mexico Championship title.
The left-hander had not tasted victory since winning The Open at Muirfield in 2013, a barren run of 97 events.
But he held his nerve over some testing closing holes at the Chapultepec Golf Club to finish alongside Thomas on 16 under, after his fellow American had sensationally eagled the final hole.
Mickelson was then a whisker away from sealing victory with a birdie on the first play-off hole - the par-three 17th - as his ball rolled around the hole, but it did not matter in the end as Thomas three-putted for a bogey.
It was Mickelson's 43rd career victory and it also meant he became the oldest winner of a WGC tournament at the age of 47 years and eight months.
"I can't put into words how much this means to me," Mickelson, who had finished fifth, second and sixth in his previous three starts, told Sky Sports.
"It's been a long time and to come through here in Mexico City, with the fans here and to play against the best players in the world and finally come through... I knew it was going to be soon, I was playing too well for it not to be, but you just never know until it happens.
"To be able to share this with my family, my brother (his caddie Tim) and everybody really means a lot, especially knowing all the tough times we've had the last four years."
Asked about the upcoming Masters, a major title he has already won three times, Mickelson added: "My game's starting to get to a level that is some of my best golf and it seems like it's just in time."
